Presentations by Watford and Three Rivers Trust and Watford Palace Theatre with an opportunity for scrutiny to ask questions of these commissioned organisations.

The Corporate Leisure and Community Client Section Head stated that following the report at the last meeting on the Commissioning Framework, different organisations would be invited to speak to the scrutiny committee about their role as a commissioned organisation.  At this meeting representatives were present from Watford and Three Rivers Trust and Watford Palace Theatre.  At the next meeting it was proposed to invite representatives from Shopmobility and Citizens Advice Watford.  In the new municipal year representatives from the community centre would be invited to a meeting.

Watford and Three Rivers Trust

Bob Jones, the CEO of Watford and Three Rivers Trust, provided information about the background of the Trust and its role.  He also explained about the voluntary sector in Watford.

Debbie Bezalel, the Director of Community and Voluntary Services (CVS), expanded on the work the trust carried out with local charities and groups.  The trust helped groups to identify their needs and how to become sustainable.  They assisted groups to develop business plans and find funding sources. 

Bob Jones informed the scrutiny committee that the trust had recently launched a new suite of websites.  The trust was also able to help groups develop their own websites.  The trust hosted Herts.Community, which included a social network platform.  He added that he would ensure all councillors would be sent an invite to join the network.

Following a question from the Chair about the council’s small grants fund, Debbie Bezalel confirmed the trust supported organisations with their applications; ensuring the application form included the right information.  There were occasions when the Small Grants team would refer a group to the trust for assistance.

The Corporate Leisure and Community Client Section Head stated that until recently only constituted groups were able to make applications to the small grants fund.  However this had recently changed and non-constituted groups could apply with Watford and Three Rivers Trust acting as their ‘banker’, who provided them with support and access to the funding.

Councillor Dhindsa congratulated the trust on its work with small groups who did not have a constitution.  He said that he felt the voluntary sector had died down over the years.  He asked how the trust engaged with the voluntary sector, particularly those from the black and minority ethnic (BME) community.  He understood that many in this community were not aware of the small grants fund.

Bob Jones commented that the sector had changed a lot over the years and he felt that the voluntary sector had possibly increased over the last 10 years.  He advised that an analysis of Watford’s voluntary sector had been carried out and aligned against the nine equality characteristics set out in the Equality Act.  It appeared that the BME community was struggling.  The trust contacted known groups to try to assist them; however he was aware that some groups had ceased to exist.  Outreach work had been carried out in the Muslim community.  The trust wanted to work with everyone and help the different communities.

Debbie Bezalel mentioned some of the BME groups she had worked with, including the Gurdwara, Multi Cultural Community Centre, the Polish Saturday School, the Portuguese group and the Italian Society.  There was a good relationship with members of the Hindu community.  A regular newsletter was circulated highlighting services, including the small grants fund.  The team was happy to meet any group.

Councillor Dhindsa suggested it would be useful if councillors could be given further information about the help the trust had given to BME groups, how it had engaged with them and the type of outreach work the trust carried out.  He added that the trust could contact the local councillors who may be able to provide contact information for different groups.

Councillor Martins asked if it was possible to explain the difference between the trust and CVS and how they interacted.  He had been struck by the level of volunteering in Watford and enquired whether the trust supported volunteers. 

Bob Jones explained that support for volunteers was the responsibility of the organisations.  Some of the organisations were very good but some did struggle.  The role of the trust was to support the organisations.  The trust was part of Team Herts which promoted good quality volunteer management.  There was also a collective volunteering agreement which provided back office support. 

Bob Jones explained that the difference in the names was more likened to a re-branding.  Previously he constantly had to explain what was meant by community and voluntary services.  When considering a new name it was felt ‘community trust’ was more appropriate.  Underneath the parent brand of the trust there were various projects including the CVS.

Councillor Collett, Portfolio Holder responsible for community, informed the scrutiny committee that she had visited many BME groups and had told them about the small grants fund.  In addition she advised them to contact the team if they had any problems.  She had done a radio interview on Three Counties radio and referred to the small grants fund.  She had been working with the Trust and it had been agreed that all councillors would be invited to the next Board meeting on 1 February to find out more about the trust and its work.

Councillor Mauthoor thanked the trust for their fantastic work and was pleased to hear the portfolio holder’s comments.  She asked that councillors were provided with more information about the trust at their induction as she felt she could have told different groups about the trust.

In response to a comment from Councillor Khan about outreach work, Debbie Bezalel explained that the team worked across the community, including with residents groups, older people and younger people.  As part of its duty to the council it reported back on a quarterly basis of the work it was doing.  They did not focus on one specific area; they worked with small and large groups.  They helped groups to find funding to meet their needs.  If councillors were aware of a group who may need support they could contact her or Bob Jones, who would then be able to assist the group and point them in the right direction.

Watford Palace Theatre

Brigid Larmour, Artistic Director and Chief Executive, and Jamie Arden, Executive Director of Watford Palace Theatre gave a presentation about the work of Watford Palace Theatre and some key statistics. 

Councillor Dhindsa congratulated the organisation on its excellent work and the great strides it had made with the Watford community. 

Councillor Mauthoor thanked the organisation for its work.  She had had the opportunity to participate in the community event, ‘Hello, Mister Capello’ at the theatre.  She asked whether the theatre carried out any outreach work in schools.

Jamie Arden responded that schools were considered to be extremely important and the organisation was working on ways to strengthen those links.  More schools had attended this year’s pantomime than in previous years.  Auditions were held in schools across Hertfordshire for the Herts Youth Theatre which was based at Watford Palace Theatre.  The theatre would continue to find ways to strengthen this work for the future.

Brigid Larmour added that due to funding cuts by the county council not as many workshops were carried out in schools.  However, the youth theatre production work continued. 

Councillor Martins commented that Watford Palace Theatre was the jewel in Watford’s crown.  When he had rotary guests visiting Watford they had often heard of the theatre.  It was the living theatre of the town.  He felt that Brigid’s work should be acknowledged.  It was a real showcase for the arts.  However, it was a shame the youth work had reduced.

Brigid Larmour explained that there were three youth groups each week and the Youth Theatre continued.  The theatre reached out to a range of age groups, encouraging participation.  The ‘Hello, Mister Capello’ production brought different people together.  The theatre intended to produce a community play every other year which would bring together diverse communities.

Councillor Khan asked if there were any areas the Artistic Director felt the theatre could improve.

Brigid Larmour advised that both she and her team had been asking themselves the same question.  One area for improvement would be to raise funding and sponsorship from the local business community and finding donors.  It was also felt that there had been some loss of the traditional theatre audience due to the newer work that had been introduced.  This had led to a mix of traditional and new works included in the programme.  The theatre had also improved in the analysis of the data it collected.

Jamie Arden added that comedy had been re-introduced.  The theatre wanted to reach different types of audiences.  They would also look at more ways they could go out into the community with events similar to the Big Events and Imagine Watford. 

Councillor Khan commented that the theatre attracted people who lived outside Watford.  He noted the comments about sponsors and asked how they could justify the benefits of the theatre to taxpayers compared to other services which were being cut.

Brigid Larmour responded that the theatre could change people’s perception of the town.  Socio-economic inclusion would be an important factor in the theatre’s work over the next three or four years.  The theatre was an active agent for community cohesion.  She regularly visited other theatres, including London, and it was not possible to limit visitors.  She said that she believed in a creative sector; it enhanced people’s lives.  Ticket pricing was set at an entry level and compared well as shown in the presentation.  Watford Palace Theatre was one of five most accessible priced theatres in the country.

Following a question from Councillor Williams about challenges ahead for the theatre, Brigid Larmour advised that the most significant was funding.  Another was to ensure the theatre remained relevant. 

Jamie Arden added that it was necessary to consider ways the theatre could be sustainable in the future.  The next business plan would include information about how the theatre could diversify income; encouraging more people to visit the theatre and spending once there.  It was intended to develop corporate sponsorship.  They would have a dialogue with Watford’s business community and show the value of culture in the town.  They would be able to show the positive impact Imagine Watford had on businesses in the town.  The theatre could be shared with other groups and organisations.  During the summer groups could hire the theatre to showcase their own events.  The theatre wanted to be part of the town and support the council. 

Councillor Dhindsa noted Councillor Khan’s comments and asked whether a membership scheme could be introduced for residents providing them discounts to shows.

Councillor Martins commented that he saw the funding to the theatre as an investment by the council.  It was important to look at the theatre in a wider context.  The theatre brought people into the town and encouraged community cohesion. 

The Corporate Leisure and Community Client Section Head said that he regularly attended Board meetings.  The Chair of the Palace Theatre Trust was from Warner Brothers.  Another board member worked at the BBC.  The types of people drawn to be part of the theatre gave the council confidence that direction and innovation was there.

Councillor Mauthoor suggested it might be useful to consider introducing a multi-ticket giving access to the theatre, Warner Brothers Studio and Watford football club.

The Chair thanked all the guest speakers for their presentations and taking time to respond to councillors’ questions.

RESOLVED –

1.      that Watford and Three Rivers trust provides information about the various groups it has helped.

2.      that an email be circulated to all councillors to enable them to sign up to the Trust’s newsletter.

3.      that information about Watford and Three Rivers Trust be given to new councillors at their induction.